Chapter 2.
The now 27 year old ex world Beyblade champion snored loudly in bed with his legs splayed wearing only red boxer shorts and one leg covered with blue Dragoon themed bedsheets. Comic books lay littering his bedside cabinet and stood in an array of positions on his book shelf. Alongside these were various flavours of crisp packets, sweet wrappers and an ominous scrunched up white tissue? It was 09:56 and way past his wake up time. Grandpa Granger would have thrown a kendo stick at him by now if it wasn't for having to teach his early morning Friday karate class. Tyson was blissfully in dreamland...but not for long.
Daichi was back in town and creeping around under Tysons' bedroom window on the outside. His red hair spiked wildly in all directions, he popped up like a meerkat and scanned Tysons' bedroom for signs of life. He pressed his face against the glass, upturning his nose at a grotesque angle, his big brown eyes locking onto Tysons' sleeping, snoring form. He gently pried open the window with an uplifting shove from his fingers making a creaking sound as it moved. Once open wide enough the little wild man jumped in and stood over Tyson menacingly with a maniacal grin. He drew a deep breath and...
"TYYYYYYYSONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!" He screeched as loud as his lungs could.
Tyson leapt up like a bomb had just gone off, his heart thumping.
Daichi stood before him with his hands on his hips and a cocky unapologetic grin sported his face. Daichi was lightly muscled now, slim, athletic and had grown some over the years. He was still 12" shorter than his blue haired friend and most of the male Japanese population but hey the boy had grown at least. He wore beige ¾ lengths (still one shorter than the other), a dark baggy blue t-shirt, wristbands, trainers and a leather pocket on a belt where Strata Dragoon rested. His less than dressed buddy growled at him through his teeth and proceeded to launch manga books at the red-heads face.
"Daichi! Whats the big deal! It's rude to wake someone whilst they're sleeping! HOW MANY TIMES!" Yelled Tyson as he launched another binary assault.
Daichi dodged every book with ease. Tyson had grown sloppy and he took great delight in showing off his agility. One upping Tyson finally; after having never defeated him at the World Championships.
"Tyson I thought you'd be excited?"
"Grrrrrr excited about what!" grumped the Dragoon wielder pouting.
"Don't you know?" Daichi teased. A bigger grin spread across his face. "Mr Dickenson hasn't told youuuu?"
"TOLD ME WHAT! JUST TELL ME!" Tysons' patience was wearing thin.
"The Charity beyblade tournament Mr Dickenson is putting together. It's a one off TV show for all the best beybladers in the World to raise money for charities. I think it's a publicity stunt but hey we can go head to head and I can finally put you in your place. We're all invited."
Tysons' eyes were wide with disbelief. "Whaaaa everyone?"
"Yep, think so. I don't know exactly but a lot of big bladers have been asked to compete, I'll knock em all outta the water. Ha"
Tyson froze for a second then his brain kicked into gear. Was it true? He had to call Mr Dickenson and get the low-down. He kicked his manga books away from a corner to expose a crumpled black t-shirt, he threw it on and legged it to the home phone in the hallway. Before he had a chance to dial he saw there were 3 unanswered calls and a voicemail. With his heart beating mad with excitement, his mouth parting, he put the phone to his ear and pressed the button to start the voicemail.
Mr Dickensons English voice was unmistakeable.
Beep."Hello Tyson. It's been a long time hasn't it my boy. I hope you are well. Tyson I was hoping to tell you personally but there is much to arrange. I am hosting a Charity Beyblade tournament exclusively for those who are at champion level. There will be no rookies attending and it will be a worldwide broadcast extravaganza. The best beybladers in the world will be at this one off event. Max, Ray and Daichi have all said yes to compete and are making plans to return to Japan next week. Kenny is returning from America with Max and attending as a special guest. I'm afraid I'm still waiting on Kais response. I would like the Bladebreakers back together to kick off the tournament in style. I know you'll be there. See you soon. Goodbye for now my boy" Beep.
The voicemail had finished but Tyson remained stood with the phone still to his ear and jaw dropped. "The team...we're getting back together" he whispered in astonishment. The information seeped into his mind and once it did he exploded with "WAHOOOOOOO! WERE GETTING BACK TOGETHER!WAHOOOOOOOOOO" and ran around the hallway punching the air.
Later that day...
It's nearing sunset and Tyson was exhausted from all the excitement of the news of the charity tournament. He had been boasting all day to everyone and anyone he crossed paths with about how he's going to reclaim his title as World Champion...the lady at the Seven Eleven store, postman and even an old man walking his dog past the dojo had to listen to his rabbiting. But now he'd burnt himself out and needed a quiet break to gather his thoughts. He settled on a patch of grass next to the river bank where he first met Kai and Max. He sat half laid back on the soft green blades and gazed out to the bright setting sky; grateful for his trademark cap protecting his eyes. Tyson was stoked and couldn't wait to reunite with the people he had the best times of his life with. All was quiet and peaceful when he was nicely interrupted...
"Well hello stranger" Pipped a feminine voice from behind him.
Tyson whipped around knowing full well who it was and smiled warmly.
"Hello Hilary." Said Tyson casually.
"Sooooooo you've heard the amazing news then. I've just spoken to Daichi who is looking for you by the way." Bounced the brunette as she sat down next to the beyblader.
She had become a well dressed fine young lady. She wore a light pink short sleeved blouse with small white flowers all over it and a dark grey pleated skirt. She sported a Gucci diamante wrist watch and 3 silver bangles on the other wrist. Her hair remained in the same style as previous years although hung a little lower down her back.
"Yeah I found out this morning" The young man said.
"Sooooooooo how do you feel?I'm dead excited! The whole gang back together again." Hilary chirped.
"I'm totally stoked Hil. I've been on cloud nine all day and I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight or tomorrow or the day after. I've missed beyblading so much. I practise every now and again with Dragoon but it's nothing like competing and boy do I need to get the practise in before the tournament." Said Tyson grinning at her from ear to ear and his fists clenched with excitement.
Then his voice and demeanour took a grey turn. "But there's one little thing on my mind."
Hilary was intrigued and wide eyed. "Oh yeah what's up?"
"It's just...Kai. It's amazing and all that this tournament is happening and Ray, Max and Kenny are coming back for a while but it's not going to be the same without Kai. It's not like we NEED him but he's part of the team. None of us has seen or heard from him for 10 years. I don't get it." Exclaimed the blue haired man.
"Kai's in a different world to us now Tyson. Who knows what life he has a big business person. Maybe he can't attend this tournament even if he wants to. You need to accept that Kai isn't coming and if he does then that's a bonus. Just enjoy the good times you are going to have with the rest of us." She smiled.
This girl forever looked at life positively and that's what Tyson loved about her. No matter how dark things got she was always ready to pick everyone up. Tyson smiled back at her, he paused a moment and enjoyed the view of the sunset lighting up her soft face. He felt his hand next to hers between the blades of grass and resisted the urge to touch her fingers. He hadn't seen her in a while after a fall out 2 months ago over something petty. No matter what; they pick up where they left off and he cursed his big mouth for upsetting her in the first place.
"Heeeeyyyyyy there you arrre!" screeched Daichi who then threw himself down next to Tysons' now not so relaxed form.
"Yeah why don't you join us...it's not like we were having a private conversation or anything!" Quipped Tyson sarcastically.
"Yeah I will join you actually." Snorted the red-head.
"Nice to see you too Daichi, long time no see." Chirped Hilary who poked her head around Tysons' head to see him.
"What's your name again?" Quizzed a cheeky Daichi knowing full well what her name was.
Hilary went red faced and steam began pouring from her ears. "Why you little..."
"So guess who I just spoke to?" Said Daichi with a side grin. Tyson was very un-amused. They had a similar conversation this morning and he was tired of Daichis' "guess who" games.
"Kai?" Shot Tyson, hoping he had the right answer.
"Nooooooo... Kenny. He and Max are flying over from America tonight. They'll be in Japan by the morning. Max asked if they could all crash at yours. I said yes for you."
"Geeeee thanks Daichi. Might I remind you that the dojo isn't yours to offer." Stabbed the Blunette with a pout.
"I thought you wouldn't mind!"
"That's beside the point and you still call my Grandpa, Grandpa".
"YeahhhhHHHH AND WHAT OF IT!"
Tyson and Daichi were starting to shout now and a loud bickering ensued between the pair. All poor Hilary could do was face palm and sigh to herself. "Why can't they just grow up huhhhh."
